Pest Management Science (2000) 56, 1059-1064

Eduardo C. Antunes, Raul Narciso C. Guedes, Terezinha Maria C. Della Lucia and José E. Serrão (2000)
Sub-lethal effects of abamectin suppressing colonies of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus
Pest Management Science 56 (12), 1059-1064
Abstract: An assessment of the sub-lethal effects of abamectin on queens of the leaf-cutting ant Acromyrmex subterraneus subterraneus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) was carried out. A concentration-response bioassay was conducted by exposing media workers (head capsule width ranging from 1.69 to 1.83 mm) to filter paper impregnated with abamectin residue. This bioassay allowed selection of the abamectin concentrations (0, 10, 50 and 100 mg AI ml^-1) to be used in the experiment in which eight queens were exposed to the insecticide. The highest concentration killed queens, but those exposed to lower concentrations survived and were placed back in their nests. Reductions in leaf consumption, fungus garden volume, and foraging activity were observed in colonies whose queens were exposed to higher abamectin concentration (50 mg AI ml^-1). Colonies with queens exposed to 50 mg AI ml^-1 were suppressed after 11 weeks. The dissection of queen ovaries revealed a marked decrease in the number of ovarioles per ovary and oocytes per ovariole with increased insecticide concentration. It would appear that, as abamectin-exposed queens became reproductively impaired, producing little or no progeny, colony members were not replaced and this led to colony suppression.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Raul Narciso C. Guedes, José Eduardo Serrao, Terezinha M.C. Della Lucia

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Acromyrmex subterraneus